Boils
Health Benefits

Turmeric for Boils: Top Natural Remedy for Fast Healing

on Mar 18, 2023| Modified on Sep 25, 2024
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Turmeric
Posted by Cmdrexler18 (Gilbert, Arizona) on 05/25/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I never thought I would be on here writing a post about Turmeric because I was so skeptical but here I am. I got my first abscess probably about two years ago in the groin area (for anyone who suffers I feel your pain! ) I went straight away to my doctor's office to have it drained and honestly it was harmless, I don't remember being in all that much pain after I was numbed. Fast forward to about a month ago and I get a bump in the same area I had my first abscess but didn't think much of it because it had been so long ago. I was supposed to be taking a weekend trip to San Diego but I had no insurance at the time and this thing on my groin was growing and fast...I had no choice but to go to my local urgent care and paid around $175 to have it lanced and drained. This was THE most painful experience of my life, mind you I have had a collapsed lung and was hospitalized for 10 days, I would have rather gone through that again. The doctor on duty at the urgent care was actually wonderful talking me through the pain; I was by myself and did not expect this procedure to be this painful because of my last one but it was horrid. She had to give me two shots for the numbing because it had grown so much and then had break up the pus pocket that was connecting the two. Sorry for the description but long story short I wasn't able to go on my trip because I was still in pain from the packing. This healed up and about two weeks ago I started to feel the same area flare up, NO, I have another trip planned this time to Disneyland and if I have this it would make it physically impossible to walk the parks for three days. I had read about turmeric when I got the abscess prior but I really did not think it would work. I did have insurance now but a trip to urgent care would still be $100 and if I went to my doctor I would have to hope they were able to take me in before this thing got worse. I went to my local grocery store, Fry's, and found McCormick Ground Turmeric for less than 6 dollars and went home and began to drink it. I tried water and hated it, if you like tea try black breakfast tea, honey and about a teaspoon of turmeric powder but I would only suggest drinking that once or twice a day even as a tea drinker it became way too much hot liquids three times a day. I also bought yogurt and just had a spoonful with the powder and even though the taste wasn't great it was over in one spoonful three times a day and it's getting to the boil right away. I was in literal disbelief how quickly this began working, I even took pictures of my boil at the time just to make sure I wasn't going crazy and I would say within the first 24 hours the inflammation went down and five days later I was off to the Happiest Place on Earth. I got Turmeric pills at Walgreens for around $12.00 before my trip just because it was more convenient for my trip. I took one 450 mg morning and night during my trip and even with 10+ hours of walking in Disneyland it never flared up again. I had to come on here and write about my experience because if I can save anyone money and more importantly a traumatic experience of it being drained I am more than happy to. Turmeric will now be a staple in my household!!

Turmeric
Posted by Denise (Skowhegan, Maine) on 06/22/2021
★★★★★

Hubby developed a boil on his back. He had never had one in our 20 plus years together. Then very soon he had 5 of them. We're outside in the yard heat sweating a lot and he's very hairy also, which could have brought it on? This just happened this month June 2021. I made a Turmeric paste, dabbed each one, then put a bandaid on all 5 of them. After I pulled them off and he showered when we were done outside-I reapplied new ones. Did this for 1 week. I also wore gloves while doing this.

All the swelling went down and away and healed up nicely.

Turmeric
Posted by Lousie (UK) on 02/27/2021
★★★★★

I've suffered from boils most of my life, since puberty. Always on the bikini line area which as you can image, isn't that much fun growing up and, is extremely painful!

I love being active but find exercise exacerbates the condition due to the sweating and friction...difficult when lowering weight is a suggested treatment!

I've found turmeric to be a lifesaver. I purchased a pot of coconut oil, melted it in the microwave the mixed in lots of turmeric powder so its bright yellow, then leave it to set again. I take this orally a few times a day and it instantly either helps the boils to come to a head and pop or just shrink back down. I also find making gold turmeric milk, with added cinnamon, star anise and cardamon a really palatable way to eat more - lovely at bedtime.

I do find that the boils are recurring though, which I'm finding hard to control. I'm looking to start a strick juice/smoothy raw food plan for a few weeks to see if that helps, coupled with daily ACV and turmeric, but I wondered if anyone else had any advice.

I did worry I could have hidradenitis suppurativa as I've had this condition since puberty, but the characteristics of the boils and flair ups don't quite seem right. Still, I don't think diet alterations would be a bad thing...sure my waistline would agree!

Love this website. Always my first resource when I suffer from any ailments.

Turmeric
Posted by Peachie (Macon, Georgia) on 10/10/2014
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

This absolutely works! I have tried many remedies from this lovely site and I get results all of the time. I had a very painful boil that was about the size of a quarter for 2 days. I made a paste of turmeric that I had in my spice rack and a few drops of water. I applied this paste directly to the boil and covered it with a band-aid. I kid you not, I had no pain in 3 minutes, and within 15 minutes, the boil opened and drained! I cleaned it up, re-applied more paste and the next morning it was completely flat and painless. Of course everybody is different, but this is an inexpensive remedy worth trying before putting lab made medicines into your temple.


Turmeric
Posted by Debbie (Tulsa, Oklahoma) on 06/10/2013
★★★★★

Turmeric for Boils: For a year boils have been coming to the surface on my belly in the fatty tissue. They never come to a head but they come up and turn black and, then, they are reabsorbed into the body. At first I thought this was okay. Then, I saw they kept returning again and again, but never to come to a head or heal completely in any way. They would remain dark blue and black for weeks but never do anything but gradually fade away leaving black scars.

I tried a warm tincture of charcoal and ground flax seed as a compress atop the boils. That did not draw out the toxins by bringing it to a head but helped reduce the boil and left black markings like a tattoo. I remember they would remain black for weeks at a time never coming to a full head! Eventually, they would disappear but new boils returned again and again, but never came to a head. It has been an endless cycle.

This time I ingested 1 tsp. Turmeric in about a cup of warm water with a dash of black pepper before bed. I thought, "Why not give it a try?" I covered them with sterile gauze and taped down with duct tape. The next morning I was shocked to find the the boils were extremely swollen and had come to a head! I really was lazy with it and forgot to drink again until that afternoon. Thi time I applied clean gauze and a compound mixture of 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal and 1 tsp of turmeric in the water. I heated this up and used a dropper to soak the gauze pads with it. Then, I taped these soaked gauze pads over the boils with duct tape to keep steady. By evening they had burst on their own and were draining profusely. 24 hours! The boil in the area known for frequent recurring boils seems like a very deep wound indicative the turmeric worked from the inside out. It hurts very much as though I've been stabbed, but I'm glad to know it is truly healing for a change. I will continue to drink the turmeric water daily until all sign of them are gone and maybe occasionally just for good measure. Boy, I'm glad I found this remedy! I have even tried silvadene in the past with no luck. Turmeric works!


Turmeric
Posted by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 06/23/2019 233 posts
★★★★★

Steve, the turmeric paste will pull the infection, and also allow the healing. My son had major swelling with large visible infection, I allowed the doctor to open it, disallowed his damaging antibiotics, took my boy home and applied a messy paste of turmeric and castor oil. Wrapped in gauze and changed every 24 hours. After 2 changes the pus had been completely drawn out, and also no pain from the first application. I didn't put honey until all the pus had come out, and I mixed that with the turmeric and castor. Also internally he took 2 Olive leaf capsules every 4 hours as non gut harming antibiotics. In your wife's case I do think she needs something internally, that's why the various infections keep recurring. You could also use turmeric internally, recent suggestions indicate it should be taken with hot water. Best to you


Turmeric
Posted by Brenda (Texas) on 06/25/2021
★★★★★

Tumeric tea will get rid of boils in a couple of days. Many recipes on web.


Turmeric
Posted by Da-mith (Queensland) on 04/12/2017
★★★★★

First sign of boil take Turmeric internally. I use high quality trusted brand capsules. I will take 2 with every meal. Minimum. Did I say MINIMUM...??? YEAH MINIMUM... If boil proves stubborn you may wish to apply externally. I empty half a capsule and mix it with a tiny amount of Coconut Oil or Butter (Turmeric is "fat activated") make a paste and apply directly to boil. It will stain your skin but that will only last a few days. Cover with a bandage... or your clothing will be stained. You may experience some burning sensations. That's OK will only last 10-15 minutes. That's a sign that the battle is on and the Turmeric is ripping into the infection. For me, signs of victory will be seen in 24 hours. Continue for another day or two.

Boils are usually as sign that you are run down or stressed. Get some rest, clean up your diet. Try ( easier said than done) not to stress out. Stress does terrible things to our internal balance. Peace Out.


Turmeric
Posted by Ang (Pensacola, FL) on 02/26/2019
★★★★★

I contracted my first furuncle ever after shaving with a razor that was a bit dull. For two weeks, I didn't know what it was, as I had two other ingrown hairs that I'd been able to free with Prid drawing salve. This, though, was not an ingrown hair, but was an infected hair follicle. I made it worse by scrubbing it in the shower. Now four follicles were infected, and I developed a lump under all four follicles... it was now a carbuncle/boil. Ouch!

A friend told me about turmeric and whole milk paste, applied topically. The paste “ripened” the two smaller infected follicles using this remedy. I then switched to a paste of turmeric and colloidal silver, and they burst and drained into the paste/plaster completely. Barely any marks left to worry over. Then for nearly four more weeks, nothing would help the other two more seriously infected follicles “ripen”. Not with hot Epsom's salt soaks, turmeric plasters, or zinc oxide cream, although I think those things helped keep them from growing out of control.

Finally, I popped in here and learned I could take turmeric internally in material amounts for this problem. I read every single review, which filled me hope and determination. I wanted this painful ordeal sorted! So, I prepared turmeric tea, using 1tsp of turmeric from my spice cabinet. I repeated the tea halfway through the day, and then I made a drink with whole organic milk, dash of cinnamon, 1 tsp of maple syrup, 1tsp of turmeric, and a dash of pepper at bedtime. I also wore a paste of turmeric mixed with a vitamin E capsule (can penetrate all 7 layers of skin), all day and night, on the carbuncle/boil. When I woke up, both infected pores were completely “ripe”. Yay! I wanted to continue the turmeric tea and golden milk concoction, but I actually felt too sensitive throughout my digestive system from drinking so much of it the day before. I have a very sensitive tummy in general. I decided to apply a thick layer of zinc oxide cream over the “ripe” heads all day and night. The next morning... they both had popped and were draining into the gauze dressing I had loosely applied over the area. Thank goodness! I then sat on the toilet and spayed my entire lap with colloidal silver, then I cleaned up the two wounds, and surrounding area, with rubbing alcohol soaked toilet paper, and flushed it all away. Next, I showered, resprayed the wounds and some gauze with colloidal silver, and applied the gauze between my clothing and the wound. I resprayed throughout the day, and once the area was thoroughly calm and pain-free, and both wounds were successfully making healthy scabs, I applied some vitamin E. This strong remedy could upset your tummy, but it works a charm on blind-ended, intractable boils.

In the future, I would do a reduced dose for myself and do it much earlier in the process. But... I will never touch that area with a razor again for the rest of my, hopefully, carbuncle-free life!

Love you so much, Earth Clinic! 💜💜💜 Thanks to all turmeric review contributors!


Turmeric
Posted by Pixie (Near Nashville, Tn) on 12/27/2018
★★★★★

Had a boil that wouldn't go away (in the groin area, no less) and, having read about remedies on here, just smeared some turmeric and coconut together on a bandaid. Changed it out a few days later, and it is almost completely healed. Amazing!!!!


Turmeric
Posted by Kay (Chicago ( Wicker Park )) on 03/31/2015
★★★★★

Hi,

After almost 2 months of what my doctor diagnosed as herpes- and herpes zoster ( a form of shingles virus) and have been deeply embarrassed- in severe pain and not able to work; as I am a makeup artist and am a representation Of beauty.

Turns out MRSA the eye boils- the face oozing, large PAINFUL BOILS!! On face- one on butt OMG.

I have been chugging turmeric 2( tablespoons and an 8oz glass of water)) and made a paste of warm coconut oil- one tablespoon coarse sea salt- lotsa pepper coarse( as well ) a hint of squeezed lemon and stir in 2 tbsp of Turmeric.

It seriously works!!!


Turmeric
Posted by Jonathan (Bristol, UK) on 04/16/2007
★★★★★

I first got a boil (on my back) after a trip to the beach in Thailand last year; I went to see a doctor and after a course of antibiotics and much suffering it expelled cast quantities of pus and disappeared. I thought that was the end of the story.

This year, however, I noticed a small itchy area on my left forearm, and assuming it was a zit, tried to squeeze it. It then got infected and became a large boil. This time I only treated it with hot compresses and it drained after about 2 weeks of agonizing pain.

Finally, I received a third boil and a sty almost simultaneously about a month after my second boil; given that it was a year between the first and second I wasn't too worried, but with the third I began to panic. After attempting to let it heal by itself for a few days, it became purple and swelled to about half the size of a golf ball. I started panicking and found this site, and immediately ran out to buy turmeric in pill form. I then started taking 1600mg every mealtime (which is, I recognize, a fairly excessive dose, but I was driven by desperation). Within 2 days both the boil and the sty had erupted. (I should also say that on the last day prior to the eruption I again began taking antibiotics- Fluoxacillin). Turmeric works wonders. I'm just now worried because there's an extremely itchy sore area on my behind, but it's not red and there's no visible spot- here's hoping it's not another boil, especially since I haven't stopped taking turmeric OR the antibiotics!


Turmeric
Posted by Steve S. (United States) on 06/21/2019
★★★☆☆

My wife has a very stubborn abscess/boil that has been opened up by the doctor two times but it won't heal!! Tried manuka on it and now it's draining again but not healing...I am trying turmeric on it with the concoction the site suggests..coconut oil, black pepper etc. I will see if it works but this stubborn one won't heal... Do you have any suggestions? She has been on multiple antibiotics and doxy helped it but as soon as her period comes, it flares up again! Also has major yeast infections from it!!Any suggestions??? Need help.

Turmeric
Posted by Cj (Malaysia) on 02/22/2018
★★★★★

40 years old male, Asian, 165 cm, 57 kg

I usually have a boil every few months on my buttock. Many people from this site say turmeric works for their boils. Thus, I try and it works in a sense that it develops less often now. I take 2 capsules x 750 mg daily. It comes with black pepper for better absorption.

Turmeric
Posted by Supermama (Canada) on 02/16/2016

Not incorrect??? Sorry...not finishing prescription antibiotics has contributed to creating super-resistant strains of bacteria. (Scientifically proven)

I would rather try natural home remedies first for myself and family, and almost always find resolve. However, I also would like to rely on antibiotic treatments if myself or my loved ones critically need them, so please don't contribute to untreatable super strains of bacteria, by not finishing a prescription. We are all better off if you never start taking the drug, rather than take some.


Turmeric
Posted by Neb (Minneapolis, USA) on 12/23/2007
★★★★★

I used turmeric to treat a case of reoccurring boils in my armpit. I had been to the doctor twice for this and was given erythromycin (sp?) both times, but the boils kept coming back. I decided to go try the natural route and found that turmeric caused the boil to drain completely on its own within two days of taking it three times a day. It's been nearly a week now & the firmness where the boil used to be is quickly disappearing as well. No need to go to a doctor and have the boil painfully cut open and drained & no need for antibiotics. Turmeric is superior to anything that my doctor did for me.


Turmeric
Posted by Dylan (San Francisco, CA) on 11/10/2006
★★★★★

I had a very inflamed boil that was located in the pubic region above my penis. Went to the doctor who prescribed antibiotic soap and an oral antibiotic. The antiobiotic seemed to work, until I woke up one morning with a very bad rash on the front and back of my torso ( allergic reaction ) Stopped taking meds and just resorted to antibiotic soap - well, the boil came back furiously. Searched the net for a *natural cure* (and trust me on this - I take very little heed to homeopathic cures ) decided as a last ditch effort to try the turmeric cure. I am very pleased to say, that after a week of a tsp of turmeric in warm water 3x a day, my boil is almost completely healed! I am shocked, gloriously relieved, and now a believer that there *may* be some credibility to natural cures.


Turmeric
Posted by Teena (Australia) on 02/25/2019 233 posts
★★★★☆

Coconut oil and turmeric paste for painful boils.

Hi all, mum called to say she had another large painful boil, it was on her buttock making movement difficult. I asked her how did you get rid of the last boil, only about three weeks earlier (groin). She replied oh you told me to put the coconut oil and turmeric and in the morning all the gunk had come out. I should do it again. Ok mum, also, if you take a tsp every day you will stop getting the boils.



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